Uncle and the Treacle Trouble facts for kids

Uncle and the Treacle Trouble (1967) is a children's book written by J. P. Martin. It is the fourth book in his popular Uncle series, which has six books in total. Like the other books in the series, it features fun drawings by Quentin Blake.

Story Summary

In this adventure, a huge painting, called a mural, is being created. The King of the Badgers asked for this mural to celebrate a victory. It is being painted on a wall at Homeward by an artist named Waldovenison Smeare.

Protecting the Mural

To keep the new mural safe while it is being painted, Uncle hires a watchman. His name is Sleepy Sam. Sleepy Sam sleeps in a wheelbarrow and gets paid with bread and a drink called Koolvat. Sleepy Sam quickly gets to work. The sneaky Beaver Hateman tries to sneak into Uncle's window. Sleepy Sam stops him and sends him back to Badfort.

A Trip and a Muddy Surprise

Uncle decides to go on a special mystery tour. He brings along his friends, The Respectable Horses. They visit a small statue of "Kind Cuthbert" and see the Snowstorm Volcano. Their trip ends with a picnic at Ezra Lake.

But their peaceful picnic is interrupted! Beaver Hateman shows up in an old, broken-down bus. He is running his own tour. Hateman starts saying mean things to Uncle and his friends. He then calls for the Mud Ghost. The Mud Ghost is actually Hateman's friend, Hootman. Hootman throws mud at Uncle. Uncle quickly moves out of the way, so the mud hits Hateman right in the mouth instead!

A New Shop for Lonely Tower

Later, a character named Jimmy Linseed visits Uncle. Jimmy has a problem he needs help with. He wants to open a grocery store. This store would be for the people who live in Lonely Tower, known as the Crookball people. Uncle agrees to help him. Uncle, Jimmy Linseed, Cloutman, Cowgill, the Old Monkey, and the One-Armed Badger all set off together for Lonely Tower.